Early Roman Empire, Year of the Four Emperors: 06 Galba

The events in the year after Nero’s death showed that imperial authority was founded on army loyalty, and that the provincial forces had the power to impose their choice of emperor.

06 GALBA (71; r.68.06-69.01)

During the summer while Galba was returning to Rome, the praetorian prefect Nymphidius attempted to have himself declared emperor but was promptly killed by his own soldiers.

Galba, who had had a distinguished career but was now past seventy, presented an inflexible disposition that won him few friends. During his march from Spain to Rome he ordered ⁰⁴Petronius Turpilianus (cos.61) to commit suicide simply because he had been appointed by Nero. On his arrival Galba angered the praetorians by refusing to pay the donatives they thought they deserved; replaced ⁰³Fonteius Capito in Lower Germania by Vitellius the Younger (cos.48); replaced Verginius Rufus in Upper Germania by Hordeonius Flaccus (c.55; fl.47-69); and ordered the assassination of ⁰³Clodius Macer, legate of Africa, who had, like Vindex, rebelled against Nero.

In January the legions in Germania renounced their allegiance to Galba and hailed Vitellius as emperor. When this news reached Rome, Galba attempted to buttress his authority by adopting ¹⁸Calpurnius Piso (31; fl.69) as his son and heir. Otho, who had expected to be named successor, went to the praetorians and promised them a substantial monetary reward if they proclaimed him emperor. On 15 January the praetorians hacked Galba to pieces and decapitated Piso.